For only the third time since its beginnings in 1964, the Southwest Symphony Orchestra is seeking a music director, and each of the three finalists will have the chance to lead the orchestra in the coming months.
David Crane, who led the nonprofit organization for 30 years after succeeding Oak Lawn native Alfred Aulwurm, retired at the end of the 2023-24 season and is now music director emeritus.
“There aren’t a lot of places for people in the community to play if you’re not a professional. It’s something we wanted to continue,” said Rosanne Arnold, president of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra board of directors.
She is part of the seven-member committee, made up of half board members and half orchestra members, which began searching for a music director in June 2023.
There are three finalists: Brian Dollinger, music director of the Iowa-based Muscatine Symphony Orchestra; Benjamin Nadel, associate conductor of the New Philharmonic in Glen Ellyn; and Silas Huff, director of orchestras at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
There were approximately 50 applicants, including 20 from Illinois and applicants from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Serbia, Spain, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah. , Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Applicants submitted a letter explaining their interest, a resume, examples of programs they have conducted, links to online videos of them conducting, and a concert program for the Southwest Symphony Orchestra.
“Everyone had ranked their best elements. We put it all together and combined the scores,” said Arnold, of Palos Hills.
The job posting sought candidates with exceptional musicality and conducting skills; significant experience in conducting, including working with professional, semi-professional and amateur musicians; and a varied repertoire.
Other qualifications listed included strong interpersonal, leadership and communication skills, as well as vision, passion and the ability to make symphonic music relevant and exciting to existing and new audiences through both traditional and innovative means .
The committee conducted telephone interviews with 12 candidates and face-to-face interviews with six semifinalists. The three finalists, each invited, will perform a concert during the 2024-25 season at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights.
“Each one of them has a big piece in the second half,” Arnold said. “We also asked them to work with a soloist, so we asked our orchestra to suggest candidates who were interested in playing what (the candidates) wanted to play. We have selected three soloists.
Guest finalist Dollinger conducts Marquise: Power, Passion & Grace, which opens the season at 4 p.m. on November 10 with Brian Gaona, principal cellist of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, and pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schumann, Georges Bizet and Johannes Brahms.
In addition to directing the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, Dollinger is artistic director of the Iowa-based Clinton Symphony Orchestra and the Hawaii-based Kamuela Philharmonic, music director of the West Hawaii Dance Theater and co-founder of the Illinois Chamber Music Academy.
“The vibe he gave off was exciting,” Arnold said.
Guest finalist Nadel directs Radiant: Celebrate 60! on March 2 at 4 p.m. with Mark Lindeblad, principal bassoonist of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, and pieces by Dmitri Shostakovich, Franz Schubert, Gustav Holst, Carl Maria von Weber, Jules Massenet and Antonín Dvořák.
In addition to his work with the New Philharmonic of Glen Ellyn, where he also serves as orchestra librarian, Nadel is orchestra director at North Central College in Naperville and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, and music director of the Youth Symphony of DuPage.
“He put together a whole program related to either things we played at our first show or things from the ’60s,” Arnold said.
She said he had increased the number of youth orchestras from 15 to 50 members.
Guest finalist Huff will conduct Baguette: April in Paris on April 6 at 4 p.m. with Ian Fitzwater, principal trombonist of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, and pieces by Emmanuel Chabrier, Lili Boulanger, Ferdinand David and Modest Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel.
In addition to conducting at NIU, Huff is co-director of the International Conducting Institute of Colorado, director of the Maestri Series workshops, and conductor of the International Concerto Festival.
“It would bring a little more modernity, a little more contact with the public,” Arnold said.
After reviewing the committee’s comments and feedback from orchestra member questionnaires, the Southwest Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors will select the music director, who will be named to Emerald: Cross Keys and Tchaikovsky, which Crane will conduct to close the season at 7:30 p.m. on May 10. .
“This will give the orchestra a chance to say goodbye,” Arnold said.
The 60 members of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra represent Blue Island, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Chicago Ridge, Frankfort, Hickory Hills, Homewood, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park and Plainfield.
Tickets cost between $10 and $35 (free for children under 10) for each concert. Information is at 708-802-0686 or southwestsymphony.com.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
